On Feb. 3-4, the third annual New York Musky Fishing Expo will welcome the public to join the winter outdoor show fun at the very comfortable Chautauqua Suites Hotel and Expo Center. It’s a place where big fish talk and advice will essentially be free.

Show organizer Katia Rivers indicated that about 80 vendors will man display booths touting some of the hottest musky lures from vendors across the country. Show booths with rods, reels, lines, lures and leaders will provide a productive and busy day for show-goers, plus the Expo will feature multiple seminars through both days.

Musky artificial lures can be big or small, but most are larger when compared to walleye or bass lures. Muskies are big fish, and experts agree that larger fish prefer to waste little energy in pursuit of small meals, so big lures for big fish are one fundamental and common rule among many “musky men.” Musky fishing can involve using jerkbaits, spinner-bucktail rigs, rubber tail jigs and crankbaits.

Musky lures — soft baits and hardbaits, can run from five inches to 15 inches in length or more. The lure’s action, composition (wood, plastic, rubber, etc.), size and strength of the hooks, rattles, glow paint, and other factors are among the many artificial lure variables. The action elements that vary from lure to lure include wobble rate, wiggle rate, diving depth, the floatability and sinkability rate of the lures when forward motion is stopped, and other factors. Fishing line size diameter, lead core line, fluorocarbon or steel leader materials, and rod tip action add to lure action factors.

Big lures, like these “Jammers” from Lila Lures, as well as musky fishing advice, will be plentiful at the Musky Expo 2024 set for Feb. 3-4 at Chautauqua Suites Hotel and Expo Center in Mayville. Photo courtesy of Greg Jones

The combination of many dynamics can make a difference. On some days when the fish appear to be on a Keto diet, anglers must change and adapt until the fish identify what they want.

Musky anglers often focus on rocky structures or weed beds, but some of the biggest musky are caught in what appears to be wide-open water. Some of the biggest fish lay quietly near the bottom as their big fish hiding ambush spot, where the musky dart up and out to grab their prey, their meal. Musky are powerful predators.

Patience is vital, as musky can be elusive. Varying lure retrieve speed or trolling speed can be essential to hooking up with a fish. Savvy anglers admit to experimenting with different lure actions and lure speeds on the same day when the fish are stubborn. Learning about musky behavior and habits will improve angler success, and there may not be a better place to learn so much about musky fishing in so little time than during this show.

Famous lure makers will be lining the walkway halls in their vendor booths. Mark Smith will be there with his Smuttly Dog Baits, minnow lures, and shad diver. Steve Gould with Trophy Time Leaders and Lures will be there, and Zachary Baker with his jointed cedar wood Knocker Lures is also looking forward to meeting show attendees. The 5-inch and 7-1/2 inch Zach Baker musky lures have been a musky “best bait” for years now.

Last year, musky fishermen identified that some of the newest hot musky baits made with a glow paint finish earned an instant reputation for fooling musky during daytime hours. Look for Mike Sperry from Chautauqua Reel Outdoors with those locally famous “Leo Mojo” and “Shayla Shad” lures, and check in with Brady Martz to learn more about the BamBam Bait Company baits with his popular large rubber-like Bowfin Lures in various colors.

Bucko Muro will have his hand-made “Dive & Rise” (D & R) Jerkbaits that feature his famous screw-eye construction, variable weight inserts, and epoxy coat finish. Muro uses poplar wood for his walk-the-dog baits and old-growth white pine for his D&R baits.

Greg Jones will be on hand with his famous 9-inch “Jammer” made by Lila Lures. Famous musky fishing lines “Barbarian Braid” and “Fins Braid” will also be on hand for show-goers. Many of the best musky lures are made by small shops and single-person business owners making ends meet through these outdoor fishing shows.

The best thing?

These mom and pop shop lures really catch fish. Every lure has some secret associated with it, just ask these lure makers to explain their details. It’s a fun weekend to visit Mayville.

If show visitors have old or antique musky lures in need of refurbishment, this show with plentiful independent lure makers is a good place to find replacement parts and the right advice on how-to to do what is required.

On Saturday, Feb. 3, take advantage of the Vance Kaloz seminar from All Day Musky Charters, which will address two key topics: The Art of the Drift and Following Seasonal Baitfish. Then, on Sunday (Feb. 4) at 11 a.m., show attendees can visit to ask questions of professional guides at a special seminar panel.

No matter where you fish for musky, remember to check local musky regulations that can vary among various waterways, many times just minutes away from each other. The Niagara Musky Association, Friends of Lamoka-Waneta Lakes Association, and New York Muskies Inc. – Chapter 69 will be on hand. Three good stops to ask about musky-catching advice and simple secrets.

In Kids Corner, kids will find a Kids Bait Collection where a free lure is available for the kids, and they get to pick it. Pretty cool stuff. Fishing-For-The-Future is a primary focus of the NY Muskies Inc. – Chapter 69 group. Kids under 12 and ages 13 to 17 are free when accompanied by an adult admission.

Another popular item for this show is the “Lure Swap Happy Hour,” which includes a gourmet pizza treat courtesy of the show sponsors. The Swap Meet is set for Saturday, Feb. 3, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Olive’s Restaurant, located inside Chautauqua Suites. To test your vocal cords with others in jest, a Karaoke Night Party will be set for 8-11 p.m. at Bellini’s Restaurant and Lounge, also located inside the hotel. That’s not all; the hotel will feature a delicious breakfast buffet each morning (included free with a hotel reservation) and will serve food and dinner until 10 p.m. The bar will be open until 2 a.m. Be safe.

Show sponsors include Baker Lures, the Muskie Hanks Podcast, Chautauqua Reel Outdoors Tackle Shop, the Cortese Auto Group, and the Northwoods Sportsman’s Association, to name a few. Maybe one more “best part about this show” is the idea of going ice fishing across the street in Chautauqua Lake to catch your panfish dinner for the trip home.

Come one, come all.

CALENDAR

Jan. 26-28: NY Sportsman’s Expo, Syracuse Fairgrounds; Info: www.newyorksportsmansexpo.com.

Jan. 30: Children-In-The-Stream-Youth 4H Fly Fishing Program, FREE, SUNY Fredonia Rockefeller Art Center – Costello Room, 7-8:30 p.m., Info: Alberto Rey: 716-410-7003.

Feb. 3-4: NY Musky Expo, Chautauqua Suites, 215 W. Lake Rd. (Route 394), Mayville, NY, 9AM start both days; visit Meta (Facebook) for more info. Feb. 15-18: Niagara Outdoor Expo, Niagara Falls; Info: 716-278-2100; www.niagarafishingexpo.com.

Feb. 24: Ducks Unlimited, Northern Chautauqua Chapter – Annual Banquet and Auction, Blessed Mary Angela Parish, 324 Townsend St, Dunkirk; $60/ticket or $90/couple; Info: 716-785-1409 716-410-2409. Mar. 8-10: WNY Sport, Travel & Outdoor Expo; Hamburg; www.eriepromotions.com/wny-sport-show.